Methods, systems, and components for modular construction of multi-storey buildings

ABSTRACT

A modular system of interconnected modular blocks having columns with male and female ends, structural space frames comprising horizontal structural sections arranged in a rectangle with a connector at each corner. The structural space frames and columns are collapsed into a modular sandwich for transportation where male ends of connectors connect with respective female ends of connectors between structural steel space frames and when the modular block is erected from the sandwich, a male connector of a lower structural space frame couples with a female end of a column of and a female connector of a top structural space frame connects with a male end of a column. The modular system is transported in collapsed form to a building site and is erected into a building structure by lifting a higher space frame, erecting the columns to create a modular unit and repeating to create stack of modular units of desired building height.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates broadly to the field of building construction, and more specifically to methods, systems, and components for the modular construction of single and multi-storey buildings and the shipping and delivering of necessary components and materials thereof.

BACKGROUND

Current building practices entail the use of multiple building materials being assembled on a building site by multiple trades to complete the structural and weather shell of the building, a time-consuming and expensive process and system. The trades do not work on the building simultaneously thereby time and resources are lost as each trade mobilizes and demobilizes. In addition, materials are left at the building site and therefore exposed to the elements. The materials may be lost, stolen, or damaged. Moreover, the deliverance of necessary components and materials for construction are sporadically assembled and, at best, current prefabricated buildings are shipped with one floor or module per truck.

Thus, there is a need to develop methods and systems for the modular construction of multi-storey buildings and the shipping and delivering of necessary components and materials thereof wherein it is done in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.

SUMMARY

Different from conventional solutions, the disclosed components, method and system solves the above problems by allowing for the erection of the structural components of a building and the creation of the weather shell of the building in a measurably shortened time. The present invention eliminates time lost mobilizing and demobilizing tradespeople on the building site and therefore eliminates material losses due to loss, theft, or weather damage. Moreover, the present invention allows for the enhanced delivery of necessary materials and/or components thereby reducing waste due to transport.

In a first aspect a modular system of interconnected modular blocks is provided having multiple columns each having male and female ends, and multiple space frames each comprising horizontal structural sections arranged in a rectangle with a connector at each corner. The structural space frames and columns are collapsible into a modular sandwich for transportation where male ends of connectors connect with respective female ends of connectors between structural steel space frames and when a modular block is erected from the sandwich, a male connector of a lower structural space frame couples with a female end of a column and a female connector of a top structural space frame connects with a male end of a column.

In another aspect, the female connector of each column is located on a lower end.

In another aspect, the top structural space frame of the plurality of space frames forms a ceiling fitted with mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing infrastructure.

In another aspect the modular system includes flip-up walls collapsed into the modular sandwich wherein at least one of the flip-up walls is fitted with mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing infrastructure.

In another the structural space frames are welded at joints between horizontal structural sections and connectors.

In another aspect, structural space frames comprises at least one intermediate structural space frame wherein the connectors at the corners of the intermediate structural space frames have male ends on a top side of the intermediate structural space frame and female ends on a bottom side of the intermediate structural space frame.

In another aspect, the lower structural space frame comprises a corner casting compatible with a twist lock fastener.

In another aspect structural space frames when collapsed in a modular sandwich have a length, width, and height capable of being transported by a flatbed truck or semi-trailer truck to a building site.

In another aspect, the columns are positioned within the sandwich for transportation.

A method of forming a building of n stories includes providing the modular system of interconnected blocks in collapsed form; (a) lifting the top structural space frame; (b) erecting each of the columns; (c) coupling each of the columns with the to structural space frame; (d) flipping up each of the flip-up walls into predetermined positions to form a modular block; (f) lifting the modular block; (f) optionally repeating steps (a)-(f) n number of times to form a building stack; (h) positioning the assembled modular block or stack onto a prepared foundation.

In another aspect the method includes (i) forming, lifting and positioning additional assembled modular blocks adjacent to a completed stack of assembled modular blocks; and (j) coupling the additional assembled modular blocks to the completed stack of assembled modular blocks.

In another aspect the method includes in in step (f) and step (h), the lifting is done through a crane or forklift.

In another aspect of the method, the adjacent modular blocks are linked together.

The present invention provides for a new way of building a building. Ordinarily buildings are built on site. If built in an off-site location the building is transported in a pre-fabricated form either in pieces or in the form of an oversized load. Traditional modular buildings cannot be easily used to transport and build multi-story buildings because each story of a building will meet or exceed the transportation limits and regulations. The present invention solves this problem by collapsing the storeys of a building down into compact stacked sandwiches and then erects a multi-storey building from the stacked sandwiches on site. The stacked sandwiches may be sized so that a multi-storey building or building section can be transported on a flatbed truck or by using intermodal transportation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and advantages of the embodiments provided herein are described with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. The drawings are provided to illustrate example embodiments described herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories using a base frame, intermediate frame, and top frame in exploded perspective view.

FIG. 2 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories having a base frame and top frame in collapsed arrangement in perspective view.

FIG. 3 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories having a base frame, two intermediate frames, and a top frame in collapsed arrangement in perspective view.

FIG. 4 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories via the use of a plurality of base, intermediate, and top frames producing a modular building frame or skeleton with different height levels.

FIG. 5 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 6 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 7 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 8 illustrates the system of forming a building of one or more stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 9 illustrates the system of forming a building of n stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 10 illustrates the system of forming a building of n stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 11 illustrates the system of forming a building of n stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 12 illustrates the system of forming a building of n stories via the use of a plurality of modular blocks.

FIG. 13 illustrates a completed building of multiple stories or rigid building skeleton.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein. The present invention will be further described hereinafter with reference to the specific figures.

In FIG. 1 , a prefabricated structure having a lower steel space frame 4, intermediate steel space frame 17, and upper steel space frame 10 is disclosed. The prefabricated structural steel space frames 4, 17, 10 are themselves comprised of horizontal plates or structural sections 5 which connect with vertical column plates or structural sections 6. The plates or structural sections may be made of lengths of tubular steel having a cylindrical or polygonal shape (e.g. rectangular or square). Further, although steel is the preferred metal material for forming the space frame, other materials such as aluminum, fiberglass composite, wood, polymer, fiberboard, fiber cement, or engineered composite wood may be used in other embodiments to construct the space frames 4, 17, 10, horizontal plate or structural sections 5 and vertical plate or structural sections 6.

As can be further seen in FIG. 1 , a region and/or connection is provided wherein a male connector 8 at a corner of the lower space frame 4 couples and/or connects with a female connector 9 of the vertical plates or structural sections 6. Specifically, the female connector 9 of the vertical plates or structural sections 6 is located on the bottom end of each of the columns 6, as can be seen in FIG. 1 . Connectors 8 and columns 6 may be provided at other intermediate locations (not shown) along the horizontal plate or structural section 5 besides at the corners of the space frame 4. The top 2 of the column 6 comprises a male connector which connects to a female connector of an intermediate space frame 17 located above the lower space frame 4. Although the male and female connections orientations have been provided, it is envisioned that corresponding male and female orientations of the column and corner connectors may be reversed. The male end of connectors 8 may slide into the female connectors 9 so that a portion of the female connector end 9 of the column shrouds over the male connector 9. The outside dimension of the male connectors 8 may be sized to fit snugly inside of the female connectors 9. Further, a fastener such as a screw, bolt, pin, or rivet may be inserted through the female connector ends 9 and through the male connectors 8 to provide for a strong connection. Once the column 6 is connected to a corner connector 8 the connection may be welded, brazed or an adhesive may be used to secure the connection. The column 6 may be made of lengths of tubular steel having a cylindrical or polygonal cross-sectional shape (e.g. rectangular or square).

Further, although steel is the preferred metal material for forming the columns 6, other materials such as aluminum, fiberglass composite, wood, polymer, fiberboard, fiber cement, or engineered composite wood may be used.

Further with reference to FIG. 1 , the intermediate space frame 17 includes horizontal plates or structural sections 5 and provides upper and lower connectors 8′, 18 at the corners of the rectangular intermediate space frame 17. The lower connector 18 provides a female end. The top 2 of each of the columns 6 includes a male end which is the same size and shape as the male end of the connector 8 on the lower space frame 4. The top end 2 of the column 6 slides into the female end of the lower connector 18 of the intermediate frame 17. A column 6 is provided at each corner to connect the connectors 8 of the lower space frame 4 to the lower connector 18 of the intermediate space frame 17. A rigid rectangular box frame or modular block 7 is formed from a lower space frame 4, four columns 6, and an intermediate space frame 17. The modular block 7 when erected provides vertical and lateral stiffness and strength.

Referring still to FIG. 1 , the upper connector 8′ of intermediate space frame 17 is sized and shaped the same way as connector 8 of the lower space frame 4. The male end of connectors 8′ may slide into the female connectors 9 of additional columns 6 so that a portion of the female connector end 9 of the column shrouds over the male connector 9. The outside dimension of the male connectors 8′ may be sized to fit snugly inside of the female connectors 9. Further, a fastener such as a screw, bolt, pin, or rivet may be inserted through the female connector ends 9 and through the male connectors 8′ to provide for a strong connection. Once the column 2 is connected to a corner connector 8′ the connection may be welded, brazed or an adhesive may be used to secure the connection.

FIG. 1 further discloses a top space frame 10 which is located above the lower space frame 4 and any intermediate frames 17. The top space frame 10 includes horizontal plates or structural sections 5 and connectors 18′. The connectors 18′ of the top space frame 10 provides a female end. The top 2 of each of the columns 6 includes a male end which is the same size and shape as the male end of the connector 8 on the lower space frame 4 and connector 8′ on the intermediate space frame 17. The top end 2 of the column 6 slides into the female end of the connector 18′ of the top space frame 10. A column 6 is provided at each corner to connect the connectors 8′ of the intermediate space frame 17 to the connector 18′ of the top space frame 10. A rigid rectangular box frame or modular block 7 is formed from and intermediate space frame 17, four columns 6, and the top space frame 10. The modular block 7 when erected provides vertical and lateral stiffness and strength.

Although FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention for a two-story building, where there is one lower space frame 4, one intermediate space frame 17 and one top space frame 10, the system may include any number of intermediate space frames 17 between the lower space frame 4 and the top space frame 10 to provide the number of building stories needed. In this case, connectors 6 are used to connect the upper male connector 8′ of a lower intermediate space frame 17 with the lower connector 18 of an upper intermediate space frame 17. In this arrangement a rigid rectangular box frame is formed from a lower intermediate space frame 17 four columns 6, and an upper space frame 17. A lower space frame 4 is provided below the lowest intermediate space frame 17 and a top space frame 10 is provided above the upper most intermediate space frame 17.

Additionally, the intermediate frame 17 may also be eliminated from a building or a building section so that the system comprises a lower space frame 4 with four columns 6 connecting the male end of connectors 8 on the lower space frame 4 with the connectors 18′ of the top space frame 10. A rigid rectangular box frame or modular block 7 is formed from the lower space frame 4, four columns 6, and a top space frame 10. The modular block 7 when erected provides vertical and lateral stiffness and strength.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , the system for a single storey building unit is shown in a collapsed or compact arrangement. In this arrangement, the lower space frame 4 is positioned below the top space frame 10. In this arrangement the columns 6 are not connected to the male end of the connectors 8 of the lower space frame 4, but are laid along the horizontal plates or structural sections 5 of the lower space frame 4. The connectors 18′ of the top space frame 10, which are sized and shaped to receive the top 2 of a column 6 are also sized and shaped to receive the male end of the connector 8 of the lower space frame 4. The male connector 8 of the lower space frame 4 slides into the female connector 18′ of the top space frame 10. A rigid rectangular box frame is formed from the lower space frame 4 and the top space frame 10 in a compact arrangement or sandwich 1. Further, with respect to FIG. 2 , when the system is arranged in compact form the columns 6 can be located in different locations of the system in compact arrangement or can be provided separately.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , the system for a multi-story building unit is shown in a collapsed or compact arrangement. In this arrangement, the lower space frame 4 is positioned below the top space frame 10. Intermediate space frames 17 are shown sandwiched between the lower space frame 4 and the top space frame 10. In this arrangement the columns 6 are not connected to the male end of the connectors 8 of the lower space frame 4 or to the upper male connectors 8′ of the intermediate frames 17, but are laid along the horizontal plates or structural sections 5 of the lower space frame 4. The connectors 18′ of the top space frame 10, which are sized and shaped to receive the top 2 of a column 6 are also sized and shaped to receive the male end of the connector 8′ of an intermediate space frame 17. The female end of the lower connector 18 of an intermediate space frame 17 is sized and shaped to receive the male end of the connector 8′ of a lower intermediate space frame 17. The female end of the lower connector 18 of the lowest most intermediate space frame 17 is sized and shaped to receive the male end of the connector 8 of the lower space frame 4. A rigid rectangular box frame is formed from the lower space frame 4, the intermediate space frames 17, and the top space frame 10 in a compact arrangement or sandwich 1. Further with respect to FIG. 2 , when the system is arranged in compact form the columns 6 can be located in different locations of the system in compact arrangement or can be provided separately.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the compact arrangement of the building unit system is designed to easily transport a pre-fabricated building from a building location or factory to a building site. The size of a compact arrangement in FIGS. 2 and 3 can have a length and width that is capable of being transported by a semi-tractor trailer truck or flatbed. The length and width can be the same as the standard lengths and widths of intermodal shipping containers. The compact arrangement in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be stacked to any height desired as determined by the building design. The height of the compact arrangement can be the same height or a lower height than the standard height for an intermodal shipping container. The use of the compact arrangement allows for the transportation of multi-story prefabricated building using standard surface transportation methods and without the need for obtaining special governmental or regulatory permission to transport the loads (e.g. over-sized loads, escorts, road closings, etc.).

The compact form of the building system can be transport in one or more shipments of compact arrangement building units based on a building design. The compact arrangement building units as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be shipped by truck, train, ship, or cargo aircraft. When in transportation the connections between connectors 8, 8′, 18, and 18′ may be fastened with a fastener such as a screw, bolt, pin, or rivet. The lower space frame 4 may be provided with integral or detachable corner castings compatible with standardized twistlock fasteners (e.g. ISO 1161:1984) used in intermodal shipping so that the lower space frame may be securely attached to a shipping vehicle for transport. The lower space frame 4 may have other fastening systems to fasten it to a shipping vehicle with a screw, bolt, pin, or rivet.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , the pre-fabricated building system units are converted from the compact arrangement to the fully erect arrangement by lifting the top space frame 10 and intermediate space frame 17 (if used), and insertion of the columns 6 to connect the lower female ends 9 of the columns with the male ends of connectors 8 and 8′ and connect the male end of the column 2 with female ends of the connectors 18 and 18′. The pre-fabricated modular blocks when erected and stacked into skeletons 13 may be positioned adjacent to each other to form a complex building frame as shown in FIG. 4 . The building skeletons 13 that are placed adjacent to each other may be linked together by linking the frames together with a fastening system. The fastening system may fasten adjacent building skeletons 13 of modular block 7 together by fastening between the corner connectors of the adjacent, respective corner connectors of space frames 4, 10, 17 in adjacent building skeletons 13. The building skeletons 13 may also be linked together by welding adjacent space frames 4, 10, 17 of adjacent modular blocks 7 together.

Moreover, with reference to FIGS. 1-4 , the aforementioned prefabricated structural steel lower space frames 4 are welded from the horizontal plates or structural sections 5 and corner pieces 8. The prefabricated intermediate space frames 17 are welded from the horizontal plates or horizontal structural sections 5 and corner pieces having connectors 18 and 8′. The prefabricated top space frames 10 are welded from the horizontal plates or horizontal structural sections 5 and corner pieces having connectors 18′. The welding process may take any form so as to allow the joining of the structural steel space frame 4 to form the horizontal plates or structural sections 5, be it forge welding, arc welding, oxy-fuel welding, electric resistance welding, electron beam welding, magnetic pulse welding, friction stir welding, robotic welding, and/or a combination of laser cutting and laser beam welding. The appropriate welding process will vary in accordance with the needs and specifications of the building. Brazing or an adhesive may be used in addition or instead of welding to connect the plates or structural sections 5.

The invention features a method and system to factory fabricate, ship, and erect multiple-storied or multiple modular buildings via only one transport and/or shipment of materials. Of importance is the deliverance, transportation, and/or shipment of the necessary materials. As seen in FIG. 5 , the materials are provided via a plurality of modular sandwiches 1 and a ceiling 10. As can be seen in FIGS. 5-13 , each of the plurality of modular sandwiches 1 further comprises of the columns 6, flip-up walls 3, and prefabricated structural steel space frames 4, 10, and may comprised intermediate space frames 17. Note that, as seen ins FIG. 5-7 , each of the columns 6, flip-up walls 3, and prefabricated structural steel space frames 4, 10, 17 are each collapsed to form each of the modular sandwiches 1. Yet, as can be seen in FIG. 5-8 , each of the columns 6, flip-up walls 3, and prefabricated structural steel space frames 10, and 17 are thereafter uplifted and erected, as will be described later in the disclosure. Each of the flip-up walls 3 and the ceiling or top space frame 10 may be fitted with the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure if needed for the building. Such infrastructure includes but is not limited to studs, beams, thermal or sound insulation, window or door framing, windows or doors, electrical wires, junction boxes, outlet receptacles, switch receptacles, smoke detector receptacles, data, coaxial, and telephone cables, water supply and waste return pipes, HVAC ducts, central vacuum ducts, gas supply lines, conduits for circulating heat transfer fluid (e.g. glycol) to name a few. Note, as seen best in FIG. 9 , that each of the modular sandwiches 1 when its columns 6, flip-up walls 3, and prefabricated structural steel space frames 4 are uplifted and erected, in combination with the ceiling 10, form a modular block 7. This modular block 7 forms a storey of a building and can best be seen in FIGS. 9-13 . Referring back to FIG. 1 , each column 6 comprises a length of structural section.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5-13 especially, all the aforementioned materials and components, including the columns 6, flip-up walls 3, and prefabricated structural steel space frame 4 may be stacked and/or collapsed into a plurality of modular sandwiches 1 and delivered and/or provided to a building site on a flatbed trailer, or any other appropriate mechanism and/or vehicle. Note that the stacked modular sandwiches 1 represent materials that may be utilized to build a building of one story, two stories, three stories, four stories, or five or more stories. Note, also, that FIG. 5 especially, show the uses of crane or forklift 12 that lifts a ceiling 10 the building site accordingly.

Moreover, as can be seen in FIGS. 5-13 especially, there is a system of forming and/or assembling a building of a plurality of stories or a rigid building skeleton 13 that can be seen best in FIG. 13 . After the stacked modular sandwiches 1 and ceiling 10 may be delivered appropriately to the building site via the use of a flatbed trailer and/or another appropriate vehicle, wherein the stacked modular sandwiches 1 and ceiling 10 represent materials that may be utilized to build a building of up to five (or more) stories, as need be, the method of forming and/or assembling a building commences. Initially, as can be seen in FIG. 5 , the crane 12 provides the ceiling 10. Thereafter, as can be seen in FIGS. 5-9 , each of the columns 6 is uplifted and erected. Then, as can be seen in FIG. 7 , each of the columns 6 is coupled and/or connected to the ceiling 10. Such a connection can be seen in detail in FIG. 1 , wherein each of the columns 6 has a female connector 9 that connects with a male connector 8 of each of the aforementioned horizontal plates 5. Thereafter, as can be seen in FIG. 8 , each of the flip-up walls 3 are flipped and/or moved into predetermined positions thereby forming the modular block 7, as can be seen in FIG. 9 . The modular block 7 forms a storey of the building or the rigid building skeleton 13. Thereafter, as can be seen in FIG. 9 as well, the crane 12 lifts the modular block 7 such that another building block 7 is formed below it. As seen in FIG. 10 , that each of the columns 6 of the modular block 7 is uplifted and erected accordingly. The floor 11 of the initial building block 7 provides the ceiling 11 of the next and/or below building block 7—see FIG. 5 . Thus, the modular block 7 beneath experiences a similar assemblage as seen above wherein, after its connection and/or coupling to the assemblage above it, the columns 6 are coupled to the corners of the ceiling 11 and the flip-up walls 3 are thereafter flipped into predetermined positions—see FIGS. 8-9 . Thereafter, the entire assemblage of the two modular blocks 7 is thereafter lifted again by the crane 12 to allow for the coupling and/or connecting of another modular block 7 beneath it. The above process is repeated as many times as is needed so at form and/or assemble all the stories of the building and/or rigid building skeleton 13 thereby forming and/or assembling a building and/or rigid building skeleton 13. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the final building or rigid building skeleton 13 as it is positioned into a prepared foundation 16.

Each storey formed from an assembled sandwich forming a modular block 7 may have a different number and type of of flip-up walls 3 and a different number of columns 6. The number of columns provided for each sandwich 1 may be four, however a different number of columns such as three, or five, or six or eight may be used. The number of columns 6 selected for each storey may be determined by the load bearing need of the storey. So, for example an upper storey may have four columns 6 while a lower storey may have six or eight columns 6.

The number of flip-up walls 3 is selected to provide the room configuration desired for a section of the building. For example, a building constructed from two adjacent skeleton 13 portions of assembled modular blocks 7 formed from sandwiches 1. The sandwiches 1 may comprise only three exterior walls 3 and a vacant area where a fourth wall might be provided on the modular block 7, and second skeleton 13 portion may have three exterior walls 3 and an interior wall 3 as the fourth wall so that when the two skeleton 13 portions are placed adjacent to each other the exterior walls 3 of a modular block 7 of the first skeleton 13 portion and exterior walls 3 of a modular block 7 of the second skeleton 13 portion form, at least substantially, a building envelope, with the interior wall 3 forming an interior wall of the storey dividing the interior space into rooms. The interior and exterior walls 3 may be full interior or exterior walls 3. Or interior or exterior walls 3 may be partial walls extending only a portion of the horizontal length of the side of the space frames 4, 10, 17 and/or the height of the column 6. Other arrangements of interior walls, exterior walls, and voids can be provided to provide a desired room layout in the finished building. The interior and exterior walls may contain openings or voids for the installation of windows, doors, or vents. The interior wall 3 may be pre-finished such as fully painted or wall-papered, or may be partially finished having only primer, or may be unfinished. The exterior walls 3 of the modular block 7 may be prefabricated with exterior siding, or the exterior walls 3 of the modular blocks 7 may have a siding hanging or fastening system pre-installed so that siding may be installed after the modular blocks 7 are assembled.

As can be seen in FIGS. 10-12 , after the modular blocks 7 are assembled, the crane 12 may lift and position the assembled modular blocks 7 into the prepared foundation 16. After which, as seen in FIGS. 13-19 , another set of modular blocks 7 may be assembled. Thereafter, as seen in FIGS. 12-13 , this additional set of modular blocks 7 is coupled and positioned adjacent to the completed stack of modular blocks 7. After which, as seen in FIGS. 12-13 , additional sets of assembled modular blocks 7 is also coupled and positioned adjacent to the completed stack of modular blocks 7 so as to form the building or rigid building skeleton 13 shown in FIG. 13 . Furthermore, another building or rigid building skeleton 13′ may be built and assembled in a synonymous way as the first building or rigid building skeleton 13; moreover, this additional building or rigid building skeleton 13′ may be positioned adjacent to the first building or rigid building skeleton 13 such that a gap exists between them. As can be seen in FIGS. 13 , a foundation and/or slab 14 is provided and placed specifically to fill this gap between the building 13 and the additional building 13′. Also, as seen in FIG. 13 , rails 15 are positioned on the perimeter surrounding the foundation and/or slab 14 so as to form a balcony—seen best in FIG. 9 . Furthermore, it can be clearly seen that rigid building skeleton 13 and additional building 13′ are indeed comprised of the aforementioned modular blocks 7.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14 , that illustrates a method 100 for the forming of a building of n stories. This method 100 comprises the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing the compact arrangement or sandwich 1, see FIG. 5         .     -   (b) erecting each of the columns 6, see FIGS. 6-7 .     -   (c) coupling each of the columns 6 with the ceiling or top space         frame 10, see FIG. 7     -   (d) flipping up each of the flip-up walls 3 into predetermined         positions, see FIG. 8 .     -   (e) lifting the modular block 7, see FIG. 9 .     -   (f) coupling the above-assembled modular block 7 to another         modular block 7, see FIGS. 9-10 .     -   (g) repeating steps (a)-(f) a number of times.     -   (h) lifting and positioning the above-assembled modular blocks 7         into a prepared foundation 16, see FIGS. 10-13 .     -   (i) forming, lifting and positioning additional assembled         modular blocks 7 adjacent to a completed stack of assembled         modular blocks 7, see FIGS. 12-13 , and     -   (j) coupling the additional assembled modular blocks 7 to the         completed stack of assembled modular blocks 7, see FIG. 13 .

The lifting done in step (e) and step (h) may be done through the crane 12. Moreover, additional steps may be added to the method 100 such that the method 100 provides a foundation and/or slab 14 to be positioned adjacent to the building 13, see FIGS. 12-13 . Furthermore, rails 15 may be positioned on the perimeter surrounding the foundation and/or slab 14 so as to form a balcony—seen best in FIGS. 12-13 .

Although the present invention has been shown and described in the detailed description above as applied to the illustrative embodiments, it is obvious for the person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be derived based on the above-mentioned embodiments within the scope of the appended claims of the present invention. As such, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices and components illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As will be recognized, certain embodiments described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the sprit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular system of interconnected modular blocks, the system comprising: a plurality of columns each having male and female ends, and a plurality of structural space frames each comprising horizontal structural sections arranged in a rectangle with a connector at each corner; wherein the structural space frames and columns are collapsed into a modular sandwich for transportation where male ends of connectors connect with respective female ends of connectors between structural steel space frames and when the modular block is erected from the sandwich, a male connector of a lower structural space frame of the plurality of structural space frames couples with a female end of a column of the plurality of columns and a female connector of a top structural space frame of the plurality of structural space frames connects with a male end of a column of the plurality of columns.
 2. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 1, wherein the female connector of each column is located on a lower end.
 3. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 1, wherein the top structural space frame of the plurality of space frames forms a ceiling fitted with mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing infrastructure.
 4. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 1, further comprising flip-up walls collapsed into the modular sandwich wherein at least one of the flip-up walls is fitted with mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing infrastructure.
 5. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 1, wherein the structural space frames are welded at joints between horizontal structural sections and connectors.
 6. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 1, wherein the plurality of structural space frames comprises at least one intermediate structural space frame wherein the connectors at the corners of the intermediate structural space frames have male ends on a top side of the intermediate structural space frame and female ends on a bottom side of the intermediate structural space frame.
 7. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 6, wherein the lower structural space frame may comprise a corner casting compatible with a twist lock fastener.
 8. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 6, wherein the plurality of structural space frames when collapsed in a modular sandwich have a length, width, and height capable of being transported by a flatbed truck or semi-trailer truck to a building site.
 9. The modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 8, wherein the columns are positioned within the sandwich for transportation.
 10. A method of forming a building of n stories, comprising steps of: (a) providing the modular system of interconnected blocks of claim 1 in collapsed form; (b) lifting the top structural space frame; (c) erecting each of the columns; (d) coupling each of the columns with the to structural space frame; (e) flipping up each of the flip-up walls into predetermined positions to form a modular block; (f) lifting the modular block; (g) optionally repeating steps (a)-(f) n number of times to form a building stack; (h) positioning the assembled modular block or stack into a prepared foundation.
 11. The method of forming a building of n stories of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: (i) forming, lifting and positioning additional assembled modular blocks adjacent to a completed stack of assembled modular blocks; and (j) coupling the additional assembled modular blocks to the completed stack of assembled modular blocks.
 12. The method of forming a building of n stories of claim 10, wherein, in step (f) and step (h), the lifting is done through a crane or forklift.
 13. The method of forming a building of n stories of claim 11, wherein adjacent modular blocks are linked together. 